by Laura Mills
He poured more of the amber liquid from the bottle into his glass. Staring into the liquid swirling from the motion of his hand, he wanted his business in Sheffield to be over soon. He needed to be back home for Melissa’s arrival.
Bloody hell Vanessa had managed to supremely tangle up his life. Now he needed to protect his father, a task he never thought he would encounter.
Taking in the fumes of brandy, his hand raised the glass to his lips, swallowing the welcomed flavor. Lifting from the barstool, he clutched the bottle of remaining brandy. Slipping it beneath his wool coat to an inside pocket he strode from the bar to outside, walking the brisk distance to his hotel room.
Melissa woke feeling fresh and revived until a slight wave of nausea hit as she arose from the bed. Ignoring her stomach for the moment she dressed in a hurry, leaving the room in order to find food. She ran into Jack on the stairway, grateful to see him carrying a tray full of appetizing food.
He smiled when looking up to avoid bumping into her. “I thought you might be hungry,” he told her, not realizing how hungry.
His timing was perfect, she thought, and she let him know how thankful she was. “You’re a lifesaver, Jack. I’m famished. I’m so hungry I feel sick,” she explained, striding alongside him to her room.
Jack watched in disbelief as Melissa gobbled down the varieties of subsistence. He couldn’t help wondering how a young lady so thin and lithe could eat so much.
Arriving early at the racetrack, Melissa snatched a choice seat, high enough to see most of the action and near enough to the finish line. Although it was closer to the entrance gate than she preferred, she wasn’t about to complain.
Jack accompanied her, having nothing better to do. It was his duty, after all, to keep an eye on Melissa at Vanessa’s request, though Melissa was unaware.
Jack offered to fetch her something to drink and Melissa was obliging. She watched Jack trail away, appreciative of his generosity. As he disappeared into a group of people, Melissa scanned the filling stands. Her view of blending heads of people seemed infinite until a tall, handsome figure caught her attention.
He stood just inside the entrance, standing well above the men around him. His inherent profile was unmistakable. It couldn’t be, she thought. Her heart started to pound fast and hard and her throat went dry. It had been almost a full month since seeing him last and she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Out of all the racecourses in England why did he have to be at this one? She had figured her chances were high of not seeing him here, but then this was his business.
Still beautiful, she observed, and still breathtaking. Then a tall pretty woman approached him, her hand grasping his shoulder. She whispered something in his ear and he smiled while she talked to him. Melissa’s heart began shredding. Her belly started to ache from the sinking sensation forming there and from seeing a woman standing so close to him, making him smile like that. It confirmed his libertine ways. Still charming, her silent thoughts were clarifying. The more shattering the view, the less she could ignore him.
Then it happened. As John tilted his head near the woman’s ear his eyes scanned the perimeter of people awaiting the beginning of the race. Once again he looked back toward his acquaintance but within seconds his bold gaze captured Melissa’s. His mouth stopped moving, his expression stunned and possibly pleased at the same time, confirming he’d seen her.
Melissa quickly averted her gaze, shifting in her seat to look in the opposite direction. Wrapping her arms across her hurting stomach she prayed he wouldn’t come to see her, but his focused gray eyes told her differently.
John had seen her and she couldn’t hide from him. He would notice her in a crowd of even the most beautiful women of England. He was well aware by her astounded expression of her accusing thoughts of him. John excused himself from Ginger’s company, giving her his final answer regarding the ball. A friend of Ginger’s steered her attention away as John glided through the crowd of spectators to reach Melissa. He thought about the last time they had conversed, not exactly on the best of terms. He’d been angry with her but over time his anger had dispersed by her absence. He wondered if she was still angry as he closed in on her.
Arriving at the row she sat in, John took an additional three to four strides to reach her. The wooden bench was empty on both sides of her and her position hadn’t changed. Taking the liberty to sit next to her he angled forward, his face almost drowning in her hair. His hand took hold of her arm in a lightened grasp. “Melissa.”
Her whole body shivered when he touched her and spoke her name. Feeling shaky, her clasped arms gripped tighter to stop her trembling body when she turned toward him. He was so close, so near that he could probably hear the thudding of her heart. Her eyes focused on her folded arms before lifting to his. “Hello John.”
Her eyes searched his features. She longed to forget the turmoil between them and start over again. Only good memories were surfacing as she gazed into the familiar face of the man she used to know so well. She wanted his strong arms around her again, wanted him to sweep her away into their very own private, blissful world. She yearned for the attentions of her long lost protector.
His first glimpse into her misty eyes caused a shudder of sensations to flow through his body. Recognizing the immense affect she had on him, he swallowed once to withstand the powerful surges. When she spoke his daze was interrupted, though he continued to study her reactions as he responded. “How are you? I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said in that incredibly deep voice of his.
She wanted to tell him “that’s obvious”, but instead took a more amiable approach. With a glance toward the woman who had whispered sweet nothings in his ear she replied, “Since I had to travel through Sheffield anyway, I couldn’t resist,” she said, giving him her normal endearing smile. “Are you here on business?” she asked, knowing more than likely that he was.
She surprised him with her response, but he knew her well enough by now despite the tone of her cream-filled voice and her confirming glance toward Ginger. “Yes, of course. It’s rare that I travel just for the hell of it.” His hand left her arm, clasping together with his opposite hand upon his lap.
Melissa reclined into the back of her seat, switching her crossed legs. “Yes, I know.” Her hands clasped together as well. “John, you really should take a holiday. You work too much.” She sounded serious and then she realized that she sounded like a wife.
Her relaxed attitude astonished him, which induced his next reply, “My work is pleasurable to me, you know that.” Their eyes engaged in brief contemplation. “If you were to join me for a holiday, I’d take one.” Apprehension was not apparent in his tone. He was serious as well, damn serious as his lustful eyes displayed smoldering desire that spoke of reestablishment.
Melissa’s breath caught in her throat, wondering how to answer him. His gaze on her was very unnerving and was not helping her at all. Their focus was intent on each other, proving that the passion between them still existed.
Melissa forgot all about Jack until a movement coming toward her got her attention. Carrying two cups of tea, Jack’s features turned curious. The knot in her stomach returned, concerned with John’s possessive reaction. She’d dealt with his jealousy far too much not to think about it.
John saw Melissa’s expression change and turned to look right up at Jack. John obliged, thinking the young gentleman had a seat further down. “Do you need to get by lad?” he asked as he slid his booted feet underneath the bench.
Jack smiled while responding, “Thank you,” taking the three steps needed to sit on the other side of Melissa.
John took note of the young lad’s boldness as he sat next to Melissa and a defensive glare appeared across his face. John was about to say a few select words when Melissa spoke up.
Being literally in the middle of what could become a disastrous confrontation she spoke the truth, trying to play peacemaker. “John, he’s with me,” she said, giving him a stern look that told him
to ease off.
Jack, unaware of John’s temper regarding Melissa, nonchalantly handed Melissa her tea. “It’s hot, be careful,” he warned before his blue eyes caught John’s stormy glare.
Melissa turned toward Jack to thank him but out of the corner of her eye she saw John’s hands balling into fists. Her free hand reached over to his and placed a warning grip upon them, at the same time saying, “Thank you, Jack, for the tea.”
Her warm hand on his served to calm him, but he wanted answers involving Jack. “What do you mean he’s with you?” His tone was low but demanding. This Jack character was a little too close for comfort.
Melissa released a harsh breath before answering, her tranquil demeanor fading from John’s insistence. “Please don’t take that tone with me and let me explain.”
She was the only one besides Robert who could command his attention, the only woman in his life, other than his mother, who held any control over him.
She lifted her hand from his, placing it around the cup of tea. “Jack is my driver, nothing more,” she said in plain terms, and after taking a sip of tea she offered some to John.
His eyes were narrowed as Jack’s presence perturbed him. “No, thank you,” he said. He leaned forward, his face only inches from hers, his tone hushed but direct so only she could hear his deducting words. “He’s staying awfully close to you to be only a driver. I believe he has other intentions in mind.”
Melissa leaned forward as well, closing the inches between them. “And your lady friend down there didn’t have any intentions about you?” Her eyes narrowed as well, her voice speaking in the same whispered tone.
“I turned her down, damn it, like every other bloody female that’s come along since I’ve met you.”
At a loss for words, his honest reply certainly gave her comfort. He’d just admitted to being celibate while they were apart and she couldn’t respond, but when she did respond it was to clarify her own position. “And you don’t think I would turn down Jack if he made a move which, by the way, he hasn’t?”
John continued with the same whispered tone and penetrating eyes. “If he hasn’t there’s a reason why. You’re too beautiful for any red blooded man not to notice.”
The heated discussion between them brought about unresolved feelings for Melissa that lay fresh and harbored. “Do you really think of me as a whore?”
Now it was John’s turn to be shocked. His eyes widened then narrowed again. “Where the hell did that come from? Of course not.”
“From the last conversation we had.”
“I didn’t mean it,” he said in an instant. He wouldn’t have her believing his blistering words from that night of confusion.
“Well I didn’t know that. All this time I’ve been under that assumption.”
“I was upset and it’s something I’ll always regret.” John looked away as if to endure his painful words once again.
All this time she had taken his hurtful words and pounded them into herself, playing them over and over in her mind until she wanted to scream. Having it out in the open lifted a weight from her shoulders, but the pain he had inflicted had scarred her. She studied his distressed profile and spoke of her true feelings. “You hurt me, John. The implications that you made were hurtful.”
“I know,” he said in a soft whisper. When he turned to look at her misery shown in his eyes. “I need to talk to you.” His gaze flicked toward Jack. “Alone. We need to talk, Melissa.”
Melissa hesitated as the surprise of seeing him hadn’t worn off yet. “I’m not sure, John.” She wondered if it would be beneficial, but then she had promised herself while staying at her cousins that when she saw him again she would give him a chance to explain.
John had found her again and he wasn’t about to lose her this time, even if it meant competing with Jack, the driver. “Melissa, what can I do to convince you? I want to explain what happened.” It was an admirable request.
Her eyes lifted at the sincerity in his voice. If he knew that his innocent boy look could make her lose all restraint he’d stay young looking all the time. Even through the pain and hurt of their situation she wanted to resolve matters with him and much more. He had exposed her to a world unknown, a world she wanted to share with him, together, and have his strength and guidance through the learning of it all, but when the pain had interfered it had ripped her apart, leaving her alone to face this bright new world.
She had exposed herself to him, telling him of her feelings, unfortunately in anger and not in delight like she had dreamt of doing, but even so he knew she was in love with him and he hadn’t returned a reply in kind, not any sort of reply at all. She truly wanted to believe John.
In that moment she decided to find out his feelings somehow, someway. She needed to know because it would affect her future and she couldn’t stand not knowing anymore. “All right, John, we’ll talk.”
On the inside John was ecstatic, but on the outside only a smile of gratitude showed. He believed this was his chance to start over with her, to make everything right between them again. He wouldn’t lose her this time, although this time there would be a history of intimacy, an intimacy he longed to resume. “Thank you.”
She sensed him watching her while she sipped her tea. She met his analyzing eyes and with a shaky hand offered him some tea again. “John, would you like some?”
“Actually I would.” He took the cup from her and instead of sipping it he drank it down in one gulp.
Melissa stared at him in disbelief and watched his calculating motions as he leaned across her to introduce himself to Jack. “Jack, I’m Lord Blackburn. Nice to make your acquaintance.”
Forgetting the introductions had embarrassed Melissa. “Jack, please forgive me,” she told him.
“You’re forgiven,” Jack responded like a true gentleman, which ate at John even more.
Jack was surprised and amazed at John’s transformation. Melissa must have a knack for calming him. He couldn’t hear their whispered words but he’d heard enough beforehand to know what their conversation had entailed. It was obvious that the lord was protective of Melissa. Jack’s confidence had risen when a hint of jealousy was detected, and although Jack was dreaming of only one woman at the moment, there was an acknowledgment of Melissa’s beauty, which reminded him that he needed to send Vanessa a note about their traveling progress. Jack pulled his hand out to address John. “Likewise Lord Blackburn.”
After shaking hands John held the teacup toward Jack, saying, “Jack, would you mind? Melissa desires more tea.” John was serious, and while Melissa’s mouth about fell to her lap, Jack was contemplating.
He was sent on this journey to protect Melissa from the boastful lord. He figured she was safe enough because she seemed to handle Lord Blackburn quite well and didn’t act afraid of him, and with so many people around he decided she’d be safe for a time, so he smiled, taking the cup from the lord along with his own and replied, “Of course, Lord Blackburn. And would you like some as well?”
“No, that’s not necessary,” John responded.
After Jack strode away John turned to Melissa, his smile diminishing when seeing her expression. “What?”
“Was that necessary?”
“You were out of tea,” he commented, trying to look innocent.
“That was rude, John. It was intentional and I’ve never seen you guzzle down tea so fast in my life. As I recall you’re not a big fan of tea anyway, unless it’s laced with brandy.”
She knew him too well. When they had spent their private week together he’d had one cup of tea with her. About half way through he’d apologized while adding a sufficient amount of brandy. Giving her a grin sure to get forgiveness, he spoke truthfully. “I couldn’t help myself. He irritates me.”
“He’s not my servant, he’s my driver,” Melissa told him, then figured if it had bothered Jack that much he would have said something.
Their attentions turned to the racetrack, John pointing out certain tho
roughbreds and their individual history. Jack returned, settled in his seat, and was handing Melissa her tea when John leaned over and said, “Thank you, Jack.”
Jack was surprised and nodded in appreciation.
Melissa flashed John a secret, thankful smile.
John’s attention redirected toward the track when he heard the announcement of his previous champion “Monarch”. “There he is Melissa,” he said. Adrenaline pumped through him when watching his horses race, and from the start to the end he cheered them on with pride.
Watching John now, Melissa knew without a doubt that whether they stayed only friends or resumed as lovers, somehow, someway, she needed John in her life. She joined John in cheering Monarch on and even Jack got caught up in John’s enthusiasm. For the better part of the day all concentration was focused on the races. John’s horses won six out of ten races.
Chapter Twenty-Three
As they were leaving they continued chatting about the races. True horse fanatics, Jack thought. Ah, but they seemed like more, much more than that. Vanessa had warned him about Lord Blackburn but Jack hadn’t gotten any sign of trouble yet. He would keep his eye on the lord and continue to protect his lover’s friend.
“John, is Chief here?” Melissa asked, admiring John’s towering physique through a side-glance.
“Yes, he’ll be racing tomorrow.” John continued to stride forward, unaware of her lingering observation.
“Did you bring James with you?” she asked out of designing curiosity.
John hadn’t caught on to her calculated drift. “Yes, who else?” He shifted and saw her eyes flare before him. “Please don’t look at me like that. You know I’m not prepared for that.” Why did he pretend there was less meaning in her tone when he knew her better than that?